Arambagh into last 8
Independence Cup champions Arambagh emerged as group champions to advance to the Walton Federation Cup quarterfinals by beating Chittagong Abahani 4-2 in tiebreakers at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The penalty shootout took place to separate the sides as Arambagh and Chittagong Abahani were at a stalemate on four points each after their final Group A encounter yesterday. Last edition's runners-up Chittagong Abahani and Arambagh squared off in their second respective fixture with one win apiece and with the same goal difference but they remained inseparable after an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Uzbek Iqbaljon Normatovich, Rajon Mia, Rabiul Hasan and Nigerian Kingsley Chukwudi converted their penalties for Arambagh while Kesto Kumar Bosh and Kyrgyz Daniel Nil Armah Tagoe beat Arambagh goalkeeper Mazharul Islam Himel.
Now, Arambagh will face the Group C runners-up -- either Sheikh Russel KC or Abahani Ltd -- in the quarterfinal while Chittagong Abahani will play against the Group C champions in the last-eight battle.
Chittagong Abahani got off to a fine start in yesterday's fixture, dominating proceedings before taking the lead in the eighth minute.
Midfielder Armah Tagoe played a long ball from Chittagong Abahani's half to Nigerian Awala Magalan, who raced into the box and shot over Arambagh's onrushing keeper.
Two minutes later, Arambagh nearly equalised but Normatovich saw his glancing header from a corner come off the near post.
Chittagong Abahani doubled the lead in the 39th minute when Gambian forward Momodo Bah ran down the left, shrugging off defender Atiquzzaman before placing a left-footer to the far post from inside the box.
Chittagong Abahani may have had a safe 2-0 lead within 40 minutes but Arambagh, under the guidance of Maruful Haque, showed signs of a comeback by penetrating Abahani's backline.
Zahid was causing problems for Chittagong Abahani's defenders, who eventually fouled the winger inside the danger zone. Referee MZF Nahid did not hesitate to award the penalty which Normatovich converted.
Chittagong Abahani continued to wreak havoc but it was Arambagh who found a goal, Shahriar Bappy firing home a spectacular volley five minutes from time. Bappy drove a left-footed volley from 25 yards out after a poor clearance by a opposition defender off a Nazmul Islam Rasel cross fell to his feet.
Chittagong Abahani had a good chance to restore their lead in the 87th minute but Momodou Bah saw his close-range header off a Rasel cross go straight into the grips of Arambagh goalkeeper Himel.
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